Jon Cryer Bike Crash I Thought I Was GOING TO DIE

9/17/2012 2:30 PM PDT

Jon Cryer Bike Crash -- I Thought I Was Going to Die

EXCLUSIVE

Jon Cryer nearly died during his violent bike crash this weekend ... but the actor tells TMZ the very first thought that raced through his mind was, "NOT THE FACE!"

Cryer just called in to "TMZ Live" ... telling us he luckily didn't break any bones during his crash in the Nautica Malibu Triathlon ... but says "I've left a lot of my skin on the Pacific Coast Highway."

As we previously reported, Cryer wiped out during the cycling leg of the race ... explaining, "You know how cyclists wear the leotard that offers zero protection? I used that to break my fall."